Bahrain's labour fund Tamkeen said the business owners in the Kingdom are set to benefit from a number of major developments to its Enterprise Development Support Programme.

The flagship programme, which seeks to improve the productivity and efficiency of Bahrain-based enterprises, comes as part of Tamkeen's efforts to deliver accessible business support services.

With 2,500 enterprises targeted to benefit from the programme over the next three years, a number of solutions have been put in place to further improve quality standards of the services offered by Tamkeen's Enterprise Development Support Agency and ensure maximum convenience for business owners.

Applying to the programme has been much easier with the introduction of the online application system available through Enterprise Development Support portal (www.tamkeen.bh/edsa).

The new system also allows applicants to track and follow up their applications with ease. Applicants will also receive SMS alerts during every stage of the process.

The agency staff will be increased three-fold to complement the dedicated call centre number 80001008 inaugurated recently.

Other measures include a paperless central archiving system, a unified application form for all the programmes and other expedient measures.

'Improving the services we offer the private sector community is one of our top priorities,' said Tamkeen chief executive Mahmood Al Kooheji.

'Customer feedback is an integral part of the periodic evaluation process we undertake for each programme to see how we can develop it and ensure it achieves its desired objectives.'

Since its inception, the programme has served more than 1,500 business owners and contributed nearly BD8 million ($21.2 million). Tamkeen allocated BD33.6m to serve 2,500 enterprises targeted in the programme's current phase.

'We are honoured to be working hand in hand with Tamkeen to support the development of Bahraini enterprises,' KPMG Fakhro managing partner Jamal Fakhro said.

'This is further evidence of the excellent partnership we have established with Tamkeen and a reinforcement of our position as Tamkeen's trusted adviser.

'The enhancements to the programme will generate significant support to put organisations on the fast track towards success, thereby improving private sector productivity.'

Tamkeen signed an agreement with KPMG Fakhro in January to continue serving as the Enterprise Development Support Agency for the programme.

Fatima Al Ansari, owner of Amna Patisserie, reflected on her successful 17 years' business experience indicating that she has benefited from the 'Tachania' programme to obtain equipment as well as the 'Tarweej' programme which supports the participation of businesses in exhibitions.

She expressed her satisfaction with the Enterprise Development Support programme upgrades which she said will speed up application processes and make it easier for her as well as other business owners applying to the various schemes.-TradeArabia News Service